Information about HIVAIDS

Sexually transmitted diseases can be transmitted from one person to another due to sexual intercourse. STDs include chancroid, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes and the deadly AIDS. Most of the STDs are curable but AIDS is not curable: there is no vaccine or drug to cure AIDS.

AIDS is a syndrome of diseases and stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is caused by a virus called HIV, Human Immunodeficiecy Virus, which attacks the immune system of a body. As a body's immune system is destroyed it cannot combat infection by producing antibodies against it as a result a person is taken over by diseases and ultimately dies.

The diseases a person can get as a result of poor immune system include respiratory infections like tuberculosis, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and brain infections e.g toxoplasmosis or meningitis. Some time one may also develop cancers like kaposi sarcoma.

HIV is a slow growing virus, and takes about 2-12 weeks period to develop. During the period a blood test for HIV might not appear positive, therefore, it is advisable that one may have a re-test in 3 months and during that period must not involve in any activity that may result in the flow of infection.

The most common test for HIV antibodies is called ELISA test.

HIV can be found in body fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. Any practice which allows the penetration of virus from these fluids through the skin or mucous membranes HIV is mot often transmitted during:

• Sexual intercourse
• Needle-Sharing for skin-piercing
• From mother to fetus
• Transfusion of blood or blood products

Although all types of sexual intercourse can transmit an HIV, some practices are riskier than others. Unprotected receptive anal intercourse is riskiest, probably because during anal sex the rectal lining often tears slightly, exposing blood vessels to infected cells in semen.

When unsterilized needles, syringes or blades are used on skin, it is most like that infection can pass from one person to another. Drug abusers often share needles and catch/transmit an HIV infection this way.

Babies born to HIV-infected mothers get infected during their fetal development as the virus crosses the placenta into fetal circulation. HIV may also be transmitted during childbirth, when the baby comes into contact with the mother's blood and cervical secretions.

High-risk individuals when donate blood products and as such a blood is transfused without going through screening.

Note: HIV does not spread through everyday contact with people who are infected with HIV, such as handshakes and hugs. Neither it is transmitted though the sneezes or coughs, mosquitoes or through sharing food and cooking utensils.

Ref. UNAIDS publications

Women's vulnerability to HIV/AIDS is in most of the cases has social implications, and its consequent to gender based violence. Women's position in a male-biased society make them vulnerable to certain crimes against such as rape or sexual abuse. Physical and sexual abuse result in reproductive health problems and unintended pregnancies, and increase the risk of infection and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV / AIDS. A recent research conducted in the US state of North Carolina, revealed the women having sexually abused by a partner were more than twice as likely to have experienced STIs as were other women.